Outdoor Kitchen Finishes and Materials

Brick island with an assortment of built-in outdoor refrigerators

Building your dream outdoor kitchen can be an involved process, but there’s certainly room for a little fun. Let’s say you’ve decided on a BBQ kitchen layout, chosen the best countertop surfaces for your grill island, and even picked out your luxury appliances — where to go from here? Answer: wrap that backyard getaway in a finish that’ll charm company, grab attention, and turn heads for ages to come.

Outdoor kitchen wall materials abound for options. Stucco won’t hold any structures up, but it’s endlessly customizable and fits any Mediterranean aesthetic. With a crash course in basic masonry and a weekend of bricklaying, a brick finish can give any BBQ island enduring style. Thin veneers, such as stone or brick (yes, again — it pops up everywhere), can clad your kitchen structure with ample appeal but without the rigamarole of extra labor. From start to finish, there’s plenty here to see. Let’s hop straight in!

Finishes Make Any Outdoor Kitchen Stunning

Countertops and appliances often get all the credit, but it’s time to put that injustice to rest. Your outdoor kitchen walls themselves can make an excellent focal point. These finishes don’t only cover unrefined or unsightly construction: they wrap a striking, cohesive bow around the entire area.

BBQ Island Finishes Can Complement Any Style

From the old-world charm of European stonework to the Transitional appeal of stucco, your choice of finish is perfectly equipped to reinforce your aesthetic. Large beautiful countertops and pristine stainless-steel cabinets certainly hold attention, but the background covers a lot more surface area. That nuance can support any style.

Easily Maintain Your Outdoor Kitchen Walls

Appropriate materials must keep structural integrity under harsh conditions and be simple on the upkeep. The best outdoor kitchen finishes can resist countless seasons of direct sunlight, heavy rain, wide temperatures, and pretty much anything else Mother Nature has in her pocket — with little maintenance from you.


Best Outdoor Kitchen Finish Materials

  • Close up of stone

  • Stone

    Cost: ★★★

    Labor: ★★

    Upkeep: ★

  • It’s enduring and ageless for a reason. Stonework is remarkably strong, downright memorable, painless to maintain, and brings a serious sense of authenticity to any outdoor kitchen. On all counts, they’re ideal cladding materials. Though a little more involved — the more natural the stone, the more we recommend professional installation — the results speak for themselves. Pair this stonework to its natural surroundings, and your new outdoor living space will look like it always belonged.

  • Close up of brick

  • Brick

    Cost: ★★

    Labor: ★★

    Upkeep: ★

  • Ah, good old brick! Rugged. Lasting. Timeless. Since first sweeping the construction world in Turkey circa 7000 BC, brick has been unseated by newer architectural advances; today, it continues helping exterior surfaces look awesome. Brick is a godsend to any budget and asks for nothing in return. Dabble in basic bricklaying, and this weekend project could make a passable mason of anyone (if not, hey — contractors!). Always prepare projects carefully, especially if brick cutting is necessary.

  • Close up of concrete

  • Concrete

    Cost: ★★★

    Labor: ★★★

    Upkeep: ★★

  • At first thought, concrete might sound like a utilitarian choice, but we’re not necessarily talking cinder blocks here. Sleek, polished concrete looks sharp and wraps the modern touch around any outdoor kitchen. It’s incredibly durable but weighs a ton — reinforced floor support should be considered — and requires a little more maintenance. For instance, a strong cracking defense includes annually sealing and resealing. Vertical concrete is trickier; consider the professionals, but know the results are always worthwhile.

  • Close up of Stucco

  • Stucco

    Cost: ★

    Labor: ★

    Upkeep: ★

  • Love the Transitional look? Great! As do plenty of homeowners, who have used this textured, cement-based finish for decades: it’s inexpensive, lightweight, simple to install, and it can be used cosmetically for just about any type of outdoor kitchen structure. We should mention it can fit nearly any aesthetic with its decorative options; it can be stained, pigmented, and even troweled into exceptional designs and textures. From Mediterranean to Traditional appeal, stucco is worth consideration.

  • Close up of wood

  • Honorable Mention: Wood

    Cost: ★

    Labor: ★★

    Upkeep: ★★★

  • Can anyone deny the scenic beauty and elegance of wood surfaces? We certainly can’t. However, it’s difficult to endorse combustible materials built over structures designed, you know, explicitly to make high heat happen. But if “gung-ho” covers your attitude to installing BBQ island wood walls for the cosmetic factor, we’ll look the other way on one condition: insulated jackets. They’re non-negotiable: don’t build appliances that create fire into combustible materials without those fireproof metallic inserts.


Things to Consider for Stone in Outdoor Kitchens

  • Outdoor kitchen built with stone.

    Featured in: Northshore Backyard Living

  • Stone veneers almost always fall into one of two distinct categories: natural stone and manufactured (sometimes called “cultured”) stone. Speaking generally, they’re similar materials that offer alternative solutions to the same problem — how to install great stone cladding around an outdoor space. On the other hand, some key differences separate them.

  • Natural Stone Veneers

  • Manufactured Stone Veneer


  • Difficulty: Professional

    Natural stone is comprised of quarried materials cut and combined into a rounded face. It holds up beautifully over time but is harder to install, requires a concrete block structure, can rack up expenses, and is really a job for professionals.

  • Difficulty: Friendlier to DIYers

    Manufactured stone veneers are cement mixtures formed from real stone molds, made to resemble their counterparts. As a lighter alternative, these can be installed on wood or steel frames because they weigh up to one-third less overall than the real deal.


  • Appearance

    Natural stone provides a great deal of color and variance in its pattern; no two pieces are the same. These features also age quite attractively.

  • Appearance

    From afar, these offer a realistic aesthetic. This falters under close inspection, as identical stones pop out — and some use of hand-painted finish is common.


  • Versatility

    Natural stone is heavy; the install must be done over concrete. That said, it resists harsh chemicals far easier, such as those in swimming pools.

  • Versatility

    As the lightest of the two, this material can be fixed to a variety of structures. However, it deteriorates and weakens against harsh chemicals.


  • Endurance

    Being less porous, natural stone performs better against weather. It also maintains its unique coloring against sunlight and can fade quite beautifully over time.

  • Endurance

    Environmental elements such as rain, wind, dirt, and sunlight are a problem over time. Sunlight, for instance, gradually harms the tint of its paint.


  • Installation

    Thin sheets of natural stone grip to metal lath and a scratch masonry coat with grout added between the stones. Dry-stacking makes another great option.

  • Installation

    With lath, a scratch coat, mortar, and grout (or dry-stacking), manufactured stone installs easier due to lighter weight and density — leading to simpler DIY builds.


  • Expense

    Installation procedures and costs rarely differ, though they are rather dependent on the style of stone. Natural stone should remain consistent in price quotes.

  • Expense

    Installation procedures and costs rarely differ, though manufactured stone veneer can vary more. You can find cheaper versions that make shortcuts in quality.

Natural Stone Veneer

  • Difficulty: Professional

    Natural stone is comprised of quarried materials cut and combined into a rounded face. It holds up beautifully over time but is harder to install, requires a concrete block structure, can rack up expenses, and is really a job for professionals.

  • Appearance

    Natural stone provides a great deal of color and variance in its pattern; no two pieces are the same. These features also age quite attractively.

  • Versatility

    Natural stone is heavy; the install must be done over concrete. That said, it resists harsh chemicals far easier, such as those in swimming pools.

  • Endurance

    Being less porous, natural stone performs better against weather. It also maintains its unique coloring against sunlight and can fade quite beautifully over time.

  • Installation

    Thin sheets of natural stone grip to metal lath and a scratch masonry coat with grout added between the stones. Dry-stacking makes another great option.

  • Expense

    Installation procedures and costs rarely differ, though they are rather dependent on the style of stone. Natural stone should remain consistent in price quotes.

Manufactured Stone Veneer

  • Difficulty: Friendlier to DIYers

    Manufactured stone veneers are cement mixtures formed from real stone molds, made to resemble their counterparts. As a lighter alternative, these can be installed on wood or steel frames because they weigh up to one-third less overall than the real deal.

  • Appearance

    From afar, these offer a realistic aesthetic. This falters under close inspection, as identical stones pop out — and some use of hand-painted finish is common.

  • Versatility

    As the lightest of the two, this material can be fixed to a variety of structures. However, it deteriorates and weakens against harsh chemicals.

  • Endurance

    Environmental elements such as rain, wind, dirt, and sunlight are a problem over time. Sunlight, for instance, gradually harms the tint of its paint.

  • Installation

    With lath, a scratch coat, mortar, and grout (or dry-stacking), manufactured stone installs easier due to lighter weight and density — leading to simpler DIY builds.

  • Expense

    Installation procedures and costs rarely differ, though manufactured stone veneer can vary more. You can find cheaper versions that make shortcuts in quality.


Things to Consider for Brick in Outdoor Kitchens

  • Outdoor kitchen built with brick

    Featured in: Secret Courtyard

  • Following stone’s example, brick is similarly categorized one way or the other: complete bricks and thinner brick veneer. The latter is, by far, the easier of the two, as it is mortared onto backer board (or, if you built your island frame with concrete, the island itself) and is simpler to adjust during the process. Outright bricklaying is much more involved of a process, though not beyond the means of highly patient, attentive DIYers.

  • Full Brick

    Difficulty: Professional

    Full brick is exactly what it sounds like: whole bricks mortared onto the structure face. A gap of at least one inch is an important ventilation need. Space corrugated metal ties apart for necessary extra support. Some skilled DIYers can install this themselves — but only with proper know-how and strict attention to detail.

  • Brick Veneer

    Difficulty: Friendlier to DIYers

    Brick veneer is roughly ½ inch thick — much lighter than the alternative. For concrete blocks, it mortars straight on. Wood or steel bases require a cement backer board, which grants a barrier for moisture and heat. Not all backer boards are made equal; ensure the brick veneer isn’t too heavy for its supports.


Things to Consider for Wood in Outdoor Kitchens

  • Outdoor kitchen built with wood

  • Though we don’t recommend wood for outdoor kitchens — honestly, we cannot state that loudly enough — we recognize the rising trend and want to advise you properly. If we can’t talk you out of it, stick to tropical hardwoods. There are few exterior wood materials more qualified for the task, though it’s usually limited to furniture and structural decking. Being both hard and dense, these woods are water and insect resistant, generally resilient against temperature fluctuations, and fend off rot with appropriate care.

    Before you get too excited, wood is usually combustible, so insulated jackets for your BBQ island are absolutely non-negotiable. Furthermore, key tropical forests are a hotbed for black market wood (yes, really) and illegal logging. How much of a problem is this? Well, INTERPOL attributes it to 50–90% of all logging in tropical countries. Ethical sourcing is key here, and these suggestions provide sustainable, versatile alternatives.

  • Woods to Choose

    • Reclaimed Teak

      Old-growth teak from Southeast Asia is widely famed as the best teak available — it’s highly robust and beautiful — and reclaimed teak is an ethical source.

    • Cumaru (Brazilian Teak)

      Often confused for ipe wood, this vibrant, reddish-brown wood is durable, weathers well, and ages with a teak-like grey patina if left unfinished.

    • Tigerwood

      A decent runner-up, tigerwood is a highly durable hardwood — while less visually striking than cumaru or old-growth teak, it’s often more affordable for tighter budgets.

  • Woods to Lose

    • Any Softwood

      Softwood lacks durability and is highly susceptible to rot. As a rule, softwoods draw insects, catch fire easier, require yearly maintenance, and absorb water. Speaking generally, structural integrity with softwood additionally demands a concrete slab foundation. Concrete wicks moisture and accelerates unseen damage to the softwood.

    • Ipe Wood

      Ipe wood is beautiful, enduring, and a black market good. Most unsustainably logged and harvested illegally. Many designers and architects refuse to work with it. Outside of the ethical problems, it’s extremely hard and dense to cut — not an easy material to build.


Final Considerations

Alternative Solution: Ready-to-Assemble BBQ Islands

Does this all sound a little daunting? Not to worry! We conveniently happen to carry an assortment of complete BBQ grill islands that make attractive outdoor kitchens at a fraction of the cost. They’re easy to assemble and perfect for an afternoon project. Plus, they already include the grill and cabinetry (sometimes with a few extras!), which only makes the selection process that much easier. We have several dozen different styles — go give them a look and see if they better fit your needs!

Maintenance Varies but It’s Still a Factor

Finished with the finish? Think again! But keeping those outdoor kitchen walls pristine doesn’t take harsh cleaning agents — in fact, forget them. Stonework takes as little as warm water and dish soap (or a little vinegar), and any sealants you use must be breathable: stone swells and contracts with humidity to match its environment. Stucco also cleans easily with dish soap and water. Maintaining brick is called “Grab a sponge, add a cup of bleach to a gallon of water.” Concrete is a little more involved; preventative sealing is much easier than mixing sodium borate solutions at home. Wood is the toughest and most labor-intensive of all! Just another reason to ditch the stuff.

Our Design Team Plays Great with Contractors

If you need a little extra support in the discovery process, don’t you worry: our team of professionals have helped countless satisfied clients build the outdoor kitchen of their dreams. From initial sketches to working directly with your contractor crew, they’ve seen it all and done it all — and are at your disposal. Check out our free 3D outdoor kitchen design services or give us a call at 1-877-743-2269!